It's hard to believe these photos were taken only 2 days apart. Minnie was surrendered to Humane Officer Vail in the field on September tenth along with an adorable hamster named Mr. French Fry. Both animals were living in extremely poor conditions. Upon arrival one of our staff members got Minnie all cleaned up, and by day two she is just as happy as can be!

Gina has had a hard life. Just look into her eyes and you can see years of neglect written all over them. Gina is another case of animal abuse and neglect happening right here in Ventura County. Last week our Humane Officers were contacted by the Sheriff’s Department about a dog roaming a vacant property with no food or water. When Officers arrived they found it filled with abandoned cars, trailers, bikes and other debris. There was a dog wandering the lot who was emaciated with her ribs and hips protruding. She was very lethargic and could barely hold her head up. She had droplets of blood on her ears due to fly strike. There was feces, urine, flies and other unsanitary debris surrounding the property. According to the neighbors the property owners did not come to feed or give her water on a regular basis, this may have been the case for years.

Every day our Humane Officers receive calls from concerned citizens about animals in our community who need help. On July 23rd the Officers responded to such a call in regards to a dog who was in extremely poor condition. When Officers arrived on the scene they found an 8 year old Chinese Sharpei who was covered in fleas, ticks, and had sores on his body. He had an infection in both ears and eyes, and an infected dewclaw on his foot. It was clear that he had been provided with unfit food, water, and no love or attention. The Officers were able to speak with Sparky’s now previous owners and educate them about not only responsible pet ownership but the law when it comes to taking proper care of an animal. It was agreed by both parties that Sparky would do best in the hands of the Humane Society and was signed over to our Officers right there on the spot.

On Thursday, May 14th, our Humane Officers responded to a call from the Ventura County Sheriff’s Department regarding a lead they had received of a dog with an exposed bone in its foot that it was eating away at. When officers arrived on the scene, they saw a dog tied to the fence wearing an E-Collar (cone). There was no food, water, or shelter and the dog was clearly injured on its rear right leg.

HSVC has offered a $500 reward for the ARREST & CONVICTION of the person or persons responsible for the death and abandonment of two Pit Bulls left in an Dogloo dog house on the side of a road in Santa Paula. Both dogs were severely emaciated and had been starved to death.

The Humane Society of the United States (no affiliation) has now offered an additional $5000 reward.

Please contact Officer Brian Bray at the Department of Animal Services at 1-888-223 PETS for more information or to make a report.

If you would like to DONATE and help raise the reward amount please call the HSVC at 805-646-6505 or mail a check with REWARD FUND in the notes to HSVC PO BOX 297, OJAI CA 93023.